Have you ever been in a car accident and experienced a sore neck afterward? Is the pain not going away, making you feel anxious that it might be serious? Indeed, car accidents can be a scary and traumatic experience and lead to chronic upper neck pain. The worst part is if your injuries progress and set off other crippling symptoms like headaches, spinning sensations, and increased pain sensitivity.
Thankfully, while car accidents can bring the most unpleasant health concerns, you have plenty of options to mitigate your risks. Discover what it takes to care for your body after a traumatic incident.
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When you're involved in a car accident, your body undergoes a tremendous amount of force in a short amount of time. This force can cause your head and neck to be jolted back and forth beyond the normal range of motion. This is known as whiplash.
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and neck pain, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Whiplash is a common injury that can cause damage to the soft tissues in your neck, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The symptoms vary from person to person, but some common indicators include neck pain, stiffness, and headaches. In some cases, these symptoms may resolve independently within a few weeks. However, for others, the pain can persist for months or even years, leading to chronic neck pain.
The variation primarily results from the unique anatomy of the neck. As you might already know, your neck comprises vertebral bones stacked on each other with the help of ligaments and separated by discs to prevent friction during movement.
Notably, for some people, their whiplash injury causes the connective tissues holding their upper vertebral bones to get damaged. This results in neck bone shifting and puts the nerves and soft tissues in the neck at risk for compression or irritation. It can also lead to increased tension in the muscles along the upper neck and shoulders.
On the one hand, some patients suffer damage to the intervertebral discs in their necks. These discs can become herniated or bulge, putting pressure on the nerves in the neck and causing pain.
Upper Cervical doctors like Dr. Forest use a gentle and precise technique to realign the vertebrae in your neck and relieve pressure on the nerves and soft tissues. The approach Upper Cervical Chiropractors use is gentle and accurate and uses advanced imaging technology to ensure tailored-fit adjustments and cervical spine care plans.
It's essential to seek an Upper Cervical doctor after a car accident, even if you don't feel any immediate pain or discomfort. This way, you can assess if your atlas and axis bones are still aligned to the central axis of your body. It will also help you prevent unpleasant health conditions like vertigo, tinnitus, fibromyalgia, headaches, and chronic back pain from taking over your life.
Lastly, it will ensure that your body heals properly after the accident. As we always remind patients, Upper Cervical misalignments rarely improve without the intervention of professionals, so make sure to get in touch with Dr. Forest to learn what key steps you must undertake to help your body heal.
Don't let chronic neck pain ruin your chances of enjoying a happy and healthy life. Book your appointment with a trusted Upper Cervical doctor in Fremont today.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Forest, call our Fremont office at 510-319-3119. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
